Modeling and Simulation Staff Officer Course (MSSOC) Course Outline

Introduction

Introduce instructors and students, and present important administrative and logistical information for the Modeling and Simulation Staff Officer Course (MSSOC). Explain how the course will be presented over the next three days.

The History of Modeling and Simulation

Recognize the general outline of the history of M&S use, and how it has contributed to shaping the development of M&S and is currently influencing its future direction.

Modeling and Simulation Fundamentals

Identify key M&S terms and concepts, and the budgetary considerations that govern M&S development and application, including requirements clarification, and distinguish the defining characteristics and associated challenges of M&S applications within the functional areas of Training, Analysis, Experimentation, and Acquisition.

DoD M&S Strategy

Understand the DoD vision for the future of M&S and gain a top-level awareness of DoD M&S goals.

M&S Interoperability and the High Level Architecture (HLA)

Recognize the nature of M&S interoperability, HLA and its role within the M&S framework, and the intent to promote simulation reuse and interoperability.

Data Standards

Recognize the nature of the DoD Data Standardization Program, its role within the M&S framework, and its relationship with the High Level Architecture and the Global Information Grid (GIG).

Representation

Recognize how the Natural Environment, Systems, and Human and Organizational Behaviors are represented in M&S, and the issues associated with each of these components of representation as they are employed in support of M&S requirements.

Environments

Provide students an overview of Environmental Representation. Present the challenges associated with such representation, and the solutions, which have been implemented to address the complexity of representing the Natural Environment in M&S. Highlight the importance of Integrated Authoritative Environmental Representation with respect to the quality of simulation results.

Human Behavior Representation

Identify the rationale and definition for what constitutes individual, group, and organizational behavior representation within M&S, including relevant issues concerning decision-making processes and group dynamics.

Systems Representation

Recognize how platforms, weapons, C4I systems, life support, sensors, units and logistics are replicated in M&S, and each system’s role in supporting individual ground, air, sea, and space representation for M&S purposes.

M&S in Support of Training

Recognize the role of M&S in support of the Training Functional Area. Particular emphasis is placed on M&S tools used to support individual, team and group training requirements, and the specific capabilities and limitations users should be aware of.

M&S in Support of Acquisition

Recognize the critical role M&S plays in support of the full range of activities within the acquisition life cycle. In-depth discussion and examples of M&S use by the Acquisition community are provided, along with discussion of recent changes in DoD 5000 series guidance.

M&S in support of Test and Evaluation

Describes basic information about DoD M&S resources, organizations, policies, and process, and how these support test and evaluation (T&E) activities in the acquisition process.

M&S in support of Experimentation

Recognize the role of M&S in support of Experimentation in each of the Services, as well as distributed Joint Experimentation environments. Discussion of JFCOM and Service tools and events will identify emerging trends and practices being developed to refine experimentation activities.

Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)

Recognize how the MSIAC operates and supports access to a wide variety of M&S resources. Discuss MSIAC role in support of the DoD M&S community in terms of its functions, structure, and related processes.

Verification, Validation and Accreditation

Recognize the critical role of Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) in ensuring that M&S activities are most effectively organized in support of all functional area requirements. Specific emphasis is placed on the key roles decision-makers must play in ensuring that VV&A practices effectively support our DoD systems acquisition processes.

Simulation Support Planning

The Simulation Support Plan (SSP) is a presentation designed to familiarize Acquisition professionals with the management and planning for M&S throughout a program’s life cycle. It details how to organize and execute planning activities leading to a program M&S strategy.

Summary

Review key points of each prior lesson and become aware of other MSIAC M&S course offerings.